The USMNT U-23 takes US Soccer back to Brazil with a game against the Brazil U-23 team on October 13. The game concludes a three-day National Team camp in Brazil starting on Oct 10. The USMNT U-23 squad are preparing for CONCACAF Qualifying for the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.
“We are absolutely thrilled with the invitation from the Brazilian Federation to play against their U-23 National Team,” USMNT technical director Jurgen Klinsmann said. “We have emphasized the need for this group to be together as much as possible, and to play against one of the best teams in the world will be a great benchmark for our players. They also get a chance to play in Brasilia, which is one of the host venues for the 2016 Olympics, and for many it will be a first taste of what the environment would be like for the tournament. We couldn’t ask for a better opportunity.”
Former USMNT player Tab Ramos is the head coach of the U-23 squad. Ramos also serves as US Soccer youth technical director. The USMNT U-23 team last played on Aug 6 when they beat the Bahamas 5-1 at Thompson A Robinson National Stadium in Nassau. Ramos will name his squad for the Brazil trip in early October.
“For us after the World Cup, it’s now a great time to evaluate where our Youth National Teams stand,” Klinsmann said earlier this month. “It starts with the U-17s that went down to Mexico for a tournament and did fairly well. Our U-18 team went to a six-nation, international tournament in the Czech Republic and came out the winner after beating Ukraine in the final. Tab Ramos and the U-20 team are coming back from Argentina where they had friendly games and had a 2-0-1 record. They tied Argentina, 1-1, which was great result. And obviously we are focused on building the U-23 team towards the next Olympics.”
